Rural counties in Washington State struggling to find forensic pathologists

“There is currently one traveling forensic pathologist available to do autopsies in Central Washington, he serves several counties in Western Washington as well.” said Kittitas County Coroner Nick Henderson.

According to Henderson, the single forensic pathologist in Central Washington has a full schedule, often doing four or more autopsies per day, causing final reports to take months to be completed.

Henderson said, “Washington isn’t the only state with a critical shortage of pathologists. We are competing with many other states which are attempting to solve the same problem.”

The State Senate passed Bill 5523 unanimously to help with the lack of forensic pathologists. The bill provides $25,000 in loan repayment, per year, for up to four years. The bill also allows coroners to receive up to 40% of the cost of transportation of remains between facilities.

MORE ON YAKTRINEWS.COM

​COPYRIGHT 2023 BY YAKTRINEWS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.